New York Daily News

Hope Solo announces she’s running for U.S. Soccer president

Hope Solo, the decorated yet estranged goalkeeper for the U.S. women's national team, announced her candidacy for the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation in a lengthy Facebook post Thursday night.

Solo criticized how the current U.S. Soccer model is flawed starting at the youth level in the fact it discourages against those who are less fortunate due to its rising costs. Solo slammed what she believes to be an "arrogant" and "elitist" structure.

"We need passionate and intelligent soccer people leading the way at U.S. Soccer," Solow wrote. "The business strategy at U.S. Soccer cannot continue to be profit before progress."

Solo believes the first step toward building a successful foundation lies with rebuilding and revitalizing the youth game.

"The heart of what USSF must represent is the development of youth soccer in America," Solo wrote. "Progress is a process, but the system currently in place does not allow for progress to happen at the rate soccer purists would hope for."

Hope Solo announced her candidacy for the president of the US Soccer Federation in a lengthy Facebook post Thursday night.Image by: Eugenio Savio/AP

Solo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, currently has a frayed relationship with U.S. Soccer. The prolific goalkeeper has not played for the women's national team since she received a six-month suspension and had her contract terminated in August 2016 due to offensive remarks following the United States' loss to Sweden at the Rio Olympics.

"I know exactly what U.S. Soccer needs to do, I know exactly how to do it, and I possess the fortitude to get it done," Solo wrote. "I have always been willing to sacrifice for what I believe in and I believe there is no greater sacrifice then fighting for equal opportunity, integrity and honesty, especially in an organization like the USSF that could give so much more to our communities across the nation."

While Solo is one of the most decorated players in U.S. Soccer history, she has had several off-the-field incidents that have damaged her reputation.

Solo was previously suspended in 2015 by U.S. Soccer for 30 days for a culmination of a number of incidents. Days earlier she was a passenger in a car driven by her husband, former Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

In 2014 Solo was charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault against her half-sister and nephew.

Solo did not address any of her past aggressions in her Facebook post.